Canadian exchange killing trading/selling for US buyers

Nathan7070

Nathan7070

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Sorry bit of a rant here.

I understand the Canadian exchange right now is not doing well. My problem with this is that it's not the US economy or traders fault!

I have tried selling/trading on here, other sites and facebook forums and keep running into the same thing. Pretty much everyone in Canada's answer is sorry the exchange is killing me so I can only offer $10 Canadian for your cards that sell for $20 USD. I just had a guy ask for a lot of 15 Canvas Young Guns that I priced about 15-20% under ebay sales for $69 usd shipped in a USPS envelope ($3-4usd) and he said I can't offer more than $40CDN for them. That barely equals $30 usd never mind the fact we are gutted on first class shipping costs ($10usd) to Canada. Talk about low balling and his other responses were MOVE TO CANADA and too bad pretty much:|

I try to negotiate and be reasonable but this is getting beyond ridiculous! The problem I have is say you have to pay $20 CDN for a card on ebay/comc/site/wherever, why would you complain about someone asking $15USD for that SAME CARD?!? Nevermind the fact that I usually try to include shipping costs in any trade or sale but MOST not all traders from Canada say the same thing about the exchange rate.

The other problem is that most Canadian shippers have to pay what, $3-5 CDN to ship basic mail? Unless it is a high dollar value I usually don't ask for tracking. Here's another problem for the US traders, just basic first class shipping costs us $10USD! That is an enormous amount of money to eat when you do 20-30 traders/sales a month. Then if I were to ask someone to take that into consideration from our end when making a deal I just sound rude. That's a $7-8 USD difference in costs just for us to ship.

Anyways, what I would really like to get out of this is some opinions of US shippers to combat the shipping costs and for my Canadian friends to explain if there is anything else I am missing for this exchange issues? Again whether it's on here, ebay or wherever $20USD, $30CDN are the same so what's the big deal?

Thanks for listening:beer:
 
Person who lives above you, checking in.

I think it's tough for both sides, and if the two sides really want to get a deal done, it will get done with no issues. As long as both parties are realistic and fair, I am a firm believer that something can get worked out if they are both motivated to do so.

I just think sometimes one party may (not everyone, but it can happen) try to take advantage of the other in certain scenarios. I've seen people use the exchange rate excuse to get a super cheap deal on cards, which in that case it would suck for the seller having to see his cards go for less than he/she would like. It can also go the other way where someone knows they have pulled gold and knows they are going to make a killing from a Canadian buyer if they want it bad enough, so that can occur, too.

But I think it's on the buyer to be realistic to, and yeah the exchange rate blows but if I'm buying something and to use your example want to spend $30 CAD on this card, and you offer me $20USD. it's the same thing at the end of the day, which is fair, so I pay and move on. What's fair is fair.

If I generally think the person is asking way too much, yeah, the exchange rate is going to be the deciding factor of it all and push me out of the running for a particular card. I don't mind overpaying a tad if I really want the card, but seeing something listed for an extraordinary amount of $$$, the exchange rate isn't going to do me any favours with me living in Canada. So I'm out.

Sucks, but that's the ways she goes sometimes, eh?

Since I'm located in Canada and have to deal with the brutal CAD/USD exchange rate and my "crutch", I do understand that US-based sellers do have their own "crutch" when shipping to Canada with their $10 USD standard the exists when shipping with the USPS.

So shipping to the US for me can be easier, but buying from the US is hard. If both parties have something to deal with, and it also depends on what they are buying, too. If a Canadian buyer wants to buy a lot of cards to flip, yeah I could see someone wanting the cheapest deal possible when ordering from the US, but sometimes they aren't going to get that, so they'll need to be realistic or find someone in Canada with the types of cards they are looking for.

If a Canadian buyer is looking for a single (or multiple) card for their PC, then they can quickly measure up how much this is going to cost them in USD --> CAD and get thinking about offers to get something done that works for both sides. It can be a pain, sure, but it's definitely doable.

On a more personal note if I may, say someone has a Enroth card I like, you'd probably make more money selling within the US, and I know that. But if you really want that card to go to a good home, depending on your initial asking price I may ask for a bit of a discount to makeup for the USD/CAD exchange rate, as it is a factor I do look at in my card dealings, but I'm not going to lowball you. I'm sorry that the exchange rate sucks, and I know it's not your fault, so let me try and compromise and offer something we are both (hopefully) comfortable with here. Like a lot of people, we only have a certain amount of funds to allocate towards this great hobby, so lets all try and get along nicely in our dealings, Sure, some deals may fall through, and I'm not asking for every US seller to take a loss on every listing they create, but like I stated earlier, as long as both sides are realistic and fair, something can be worked out.

I've made plenty of deal with US sellers for PC cards I like. And the exchange rate can get a little sad to think about, but often times we can figure out a deal that works for both sides at the end of the day. I get the card I like, and my wallet doesn't cry too much (most of the time, eh).
 
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This garbage UD exclusive, box breakers, products like ITG Vault when it came out, contribute more to suppressing market values than anything else.

Great for buyers, terrible for sellers or anyone that remembers when game used cards used to be worth something.
 
Hey all. Allow me to shed some light on at least the issue of $10 to ship a bubble mailer to Canada from the US. What if I told you I can send to Canada for $3 USD? Most would say "What? How?"

Introducing the system hack in the USPS. For those of you from Canada I have dealt with, you can back me up on this (here's looking at you, RGM81!). I have done this for the last few years now and have never once had an issue, either with the USPS or with the safety of the card.

The method? USPS First Class International Large Envelop. Based on the USPS's rules and regulations, a large envelop constitutes as an envelop that exceeds specific dimensions. For an envelop to qualify, it must exceed the designated length, width, and/OR thickness. I believe the minimum thickness for a large envelop is 0.25 inches. So, how do I accomplish making the envelop fit into the large envelop status?

I take a legal envelop (one of the ones you can put normal paper in that has the self-seal flap at the top). I then cut off the top (the end with the open flap) so it is about 1/2 the original height. Why? This cuts down on a little weight, which can make a difference on the price. Additionally, that is less surface area for potential tears or rips. I then out the card in a penny sleeve, top loader, team bag, and then tape cardboard to both sides of the team bag. This ensures the safety of the card, and, most importantly, gives you the thickness needed to qualify as a large envelop. I then place the card in the envelop, fold over the open end of the envelop, and tape it shut.

For the shipping label: I print out the shipping label (USE PAYPAL SHIP NOW, IT IS A LIFE SAVER. Use Google to find the link for it.) and cut it out and tape it on the sealed envelop. I then make sure the entire envelop is covered with packaging tape to ensure no tearing or ripping.

Then, take it to the post office and drop it off. Voila! Safe, secure shipping for $3 or so.

Like I said, I have used this method for a few years for international shipping (have shipped countless packages) and have never once had any issues of any kinds, wither with the USPS or with the safety of the card.

If something here did not make sense, please feel free to ask questions. This method is a game-changer and makes US-to-Canada shipping reasonable. It is a little extra work, but 100% worth saving the $7-$8 per package.

That is the method to the magic. You're welcome, everyone.
 
A few thoughts:

1) Actually, the success of the US Economy has a major effect on the currency exchange. When you guys are doing good, then the USD is worth more.

2) The use of Beckett contributes to the price confusion. Most Canadian collectors I know use Beckett values as currency neutral. So we see the book value of a YG as "$5". An american sees it as $5 USD, and expects the Canadian to pay the $5 USD -- which is now ~$7 CDN. Many see this as overbook value and thus balk at american sellers' prices. As an additional perspective, imagine if Beckett Hockey was Canadian based. Would american collectors use the exact value as seen in the book,or decrease it by ~25% to account for the exchange, even when dealing with other American collectors?

3) Building off #2, 20 USD= 30 CDN, but collectors on both sides of the border may see the value of the card as "$20" in their local market (LCS, shows, Trade Nights, etc). If I see the value as $20 in my market, why would I pay $30 for it?

4) S&H from CAN to the USA unfortunately varies depending on the PO staff. But I pay just under $9 CDN to mail a #000 bubble envelope as small packet to USA. The sticker price we both pay is pretty similar.

5) American collectors should take advantage of the current exchange rate and buy from us Canadian sellers that list in cdn$. :cheer:
 
Who uses Beckett? I mean seriously, at the last several shows I've had maybe...three? four? discussions involving Beckett pricing. eBay completed sales rule the roost.
 
Thanks for the input everyone!

It seems to be a Canadian collectors market right now. US traders/sellers are getting nailed every which way. Our dollar may be strong but if Canadian's are making the same rate of pay I completely understand why you wouldn't want to spend your hard earned money on the pitiful exchange rate.

HammerHawks - I do know of this method you have been using. It is risky and most of my buyers on ebay let alone traders that are friends would not be interested in this method. In most cases it takes over 4 weeks to receive. Once it hits the border all possible tracking disappears. I have had 2 complaints on ebay for not receiving, if they are in fact telling the truth, after waiting almost 2 months. I have had about 95% go through in less than 2-3 weeks but after doing this for 12-13 years online I am not willing to take that risk.

Q - Beckett is another problem that I don't even want to touch on LOL.
 
Nathan7070 said:
Thanks for the input everyone!

It seems to be a Canadian collectors market right now. US traders/sellers are getting nailed every which way. Our dollar may be strong but if Canadian's are making the same rate of pay I completely understand why you wouldn't want to spend your hard earned money on the pitiful exchange rate.

HammerHawks - I do know of this method you have been using. It is risky and most of my buyers on ebay let alone traders that are friends would not be interested in this method. In most cases it takes over 4 weeks to receive. Once it hits the border all possible tracking disappears. I have had 2 complaints on ebay for not receiving, if they are in fact telling the truth, after waiting almost 2 months. I have had about 95% go through in less than 2-3 weeks but after doing this for 12-13 years online I am not willing to take that risk.

Q - Beckett is another problem that I don't even want to touch on LOL.
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Interesting. I cannot recall a time it has taken more than 10-14 business days, or any longer than it would for a bubble mailer. Like I said, I have never had a problem with the method. Interesting to hear you have.
 
a6.jpg

I asked my wife to mark out the name not the address BUT if you squint you can see its from New York sent to Ontario.....$1.15 postage on an ebay purchase.....7 day delivery. One card top loader and team bag mint condition.
 
Nathan7070 said:
Sorry bit of a rant here.

I understand the Canadian exchange right now is not doing well. My problem with this is that it's not the US economy or traders fault!
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It might have something to do with the way your President recently "renegotiated" the North American Free Trade agreement. All the uncertainty about the future of the Canadian economy under threat of massive tariffs and punitive penalties if we didn't agree to his terms and sign the deal by the deadline. Although this has come to a reluctant agreement now, the uncertainty hurt the Canadian dollar in the short term. Its starting to come back now.
 
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quincy said:
Who uses Beckett? I mean seriously, at the last several shows I've had maybe...three? four? discussions involving Beckett pricing. eBay completed sales rule the roost.
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I use beckett when i need a good laugh. It seems so far out of whack for pricing you have to wonder how on earth they can still operate. Beckett is fine if both parties want to use that as a price base but realized sales is the way to go for sure.
 
yea Beckett prices are laughable. I get a good laugh when someone on ebay *****es about my prices and start quoting beckett BV on a card that sells for 4X on completed sales.

I do agree with the fact that if both parties are willing to make a deal, one will be reached. I do get some Canadian buyers requesting a cheaper price due to the exchange and most of the time there isn't much I can do about that unless I'm asking too much to begin with.

As far as the envelope shipping goes, I understand it is cheaper but much riskier. If you're shipping $10 cards I'd be happy with it. I sell only high end stuff so it has to go bubble mailer. Not shipping a $150 card in a brown envelope. Plus, with the envelope method, you're mailing it as paper documents. Meaning, only bendable stuff (no cards in cases). So that gives the right for the postal service to bend, fold, crease, etc, and could easily damage anything in it.
 
As far as the economical aspects, we can argue those points all day, values, etc.

With regard to shipping, it is what it is. And what it is.......... is $10. So make sure you buy lots of stuff and get your burgers worth! ;)
 
gobuffalo2331 said:
yea Beckett prices are laughable. I get a good laugh when someone on ebay *****es about my prices and start quoting beckett BV on a card that sells for 4X on completed sales.

I do agree with the fact that if both parties are willing to make a deal, one will be reached. I do get some Canadian buyers requesting a cheaper price due to the exchange and most of the time there isn't much I can do about that unless I'm asking too much to begin with.

As far as the envelope shipping goes, I understand it is cheaper but much riskier. If you're shipping $10 cards I'd be happy with it. I sell only high end stuff so it has to go bubble mailer. Not shipping a $150 card in a brown envelope. Plus, with the envelope method, you're mailing it as paper documents. Meaning, only bendable stuff (no cards in cases). So that gives the right for the postal service to bend, fold, crease, etc, and could easily damage anything in it.
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I never mark it as documents. I always just list as other and say hockey card. To each their own; I understand the bubble mailer is generally a safer option, but, like I said, I've never had any issues with it and love not having to pay $10.
 
HammerHawks said:
I never mark it as documents. I always just list as other and say hockey card. To each their own; I understand the bubble mailer is generally a safer option, but, like I said, I've never had any issues with it and love not having to pay $10.
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For a 1-2$ card, if both sides agree, the PWE is the logical choice. Anything fancier, I'll use a bubble-mailer.
 
odjickfan said:
For a 1-2$ card, if both sides agree, the PWE is the logical choice. Anything fancier, I'll use a bubble-mailer.
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I don't like thinking of it like this, though. I don't just put it in a top loader and put it in an envelop and send it out. I very carefully ensure the card is surrounded by cardboard to prevent bending, and then completely cover the envelop in tape to prevent tearing. I think it is pretty secure. But alas, I'm clearly in the minority. I wish I could just send in a bubble mailer for $3, but those days are long gone.
 

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